Pentagon Memorial | TravelDojo

The Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, is a permanent memorial on the Pentagon grounds honoring the people killed when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building on September 11, 2001. It specifically commemorates the 184 victims from the Pentagon and the airliner.

The memorial’s defining feature is an arranged field of 184 memorial units-each a dedicated bench bearing a victim’s name-sited to reflect the ages of the victims and oriented to indicate whether the person was in the Pentagon or on the plane. The design was created by architects Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman.

Construction followed a national design competition and the site was dedicated on September 11, 2008. The memorial integrates landscaping and water features and is intended for reflection and quiet visitation.

The memorial sits on the western side of the Pentagon complex, adjacent to the impact site, and is accessible to visitors via the Pentagon Metro station and designated public entry points on the Pentagon reservation.

Victims commemorated: The memorial commemorates the 184 people who died as a result of the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon and the associated airliner; each victim is honoured by a dedicated bench.
Access: The site is adjacent to the Pentagon and is reachable by the Pentagon Metro station and by road; it is open to the public with security screening as it sits on Department of Defense property.

What to See #

Memorial units: A field of 184 individual memorial units-each a cantilevered bench with the name of a victim-arranged along a landscaped site that marks the locations of victims who died in the Pentagon attack and on the plane.

How to Get to Pentagon Memorial #

From Washington, D.C., take the Metro to Pentagon station (Blue/Yellow lines). Walk south across the Pentagon grounds pedestrian pathway toward Memorial Ave; the memorial sits on the southwest side of the Pentagon. If driving, use Memorial Ave; expect security checks and limited on-site parking.

Tips for Visiting Pentagon Memorial #

Arrive early morning or late afternoon to avoid the largest tour groups and to see the light fall across the memorial pools.
Each bench is oriented toward the Pentagon and marked with the victim's birth year-take time to read several inscriptions; volunteers often have stories to share.
Access is from the Pentagon Reservation walkway; allow time for ID check if approaching from the Pentagon Metro stop.

Best Time to Visit Pentagon Memorial #

The Pentagon Memorial is best visited in spring or autumn for comfortable weather and moderate crowds.

Spring

April-June · 10-25°C

Mild temperatures and blooming magnolias near the memorial's entrance.

Autumn

September-November · 8-20°C

Crisp air and softer light; less crowded than summer months.

Weather & Climate near Pentagon Memorial #

Climate

Pentagon Memorial's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1034 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

32°

Warmest Month

-4°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions